OSTEOPOROSIS AT PRESENTATION OF CHILDHOOD ALL

Vertebral fractures at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are an uncommon but recognized problem. Clinical issues associated with pathological fractures in these children include pain control and the potential for further treatment-associated fractures and long-term bony morbidity. The authors report the successful use of pamidronate in two children who presented with vertebral compression fractures at diagnosis of ALL. Both patients had pain and low bone mineral density at baseline. In addition to standard chemotherapy, pamidronate (1 mg/kg, IV) was given bimonthly. Initial rapid symptom relief and gradual improvement of bone mineral density was demonstrated in both patients.     

Bone densitometry in pediatric patients treated with pamidronate

Background: Increasing numbers of children are being treated with the bisphosphonate pamidronate for low bone mineral density, particularly children with increased risk of fractures caused by bone disorders or low/non-weight bearing. Objective: To determine the effect of intravenous pamidronate on the bone mineral density of children with osteogenesis imperfecta and spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Materials and methods: Charts of 38 children with osteogenesis imperfecta (n=20) and spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (n=18) treated with pamidronate were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were selected for treatment because of prior fracture and/or abnormally low bone mineral density. All received intravenous pamidronate at two-month to eight-month intervals and were periodically examined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: All patients had abnormally low bone mineral density prior to treatment. Lumbar spine bone mineral density and z-scores showed serial improvement in 31 of 32 patients. Spine bone mineral density increased 78±38.1% in OI and 47.4±39.0% in children with cerebral palsy. The area of greatest lateral distal femur bone mineral density improvement was in the metaphysis adjacent to the growth plate, with a 96±87.8% improvement in the osteogenesis imperfecta group and 65.7±55.2% improvement in the cerebral palsy group. Increases in bone mineral density exceeded that expected for age-specific growth. This was demonstrated by improvement in both spine and femur z-scores for both groups. No children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy experienced fractures after the first week of treatment, whereas patients with osteogenesis imperfecta continued to have fractures but at a decreased rate. Conclusions: Intravenous pamidronate given at 3- to 4-month intervals proved to be effective in increasing bone mineral density in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The greatest gains in bone mineral density were observed in the children with osteogenesis imperfecta, but they did continue to fracture, albeit at a decreased rate. Children with cerebral palsy gained bone mineral density and did not continue to fracture.     

Incidence of skeletal complications during treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparison of fracture risk with the General Practice Research Database

BACKGROUND: Skeletal complications during or after treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been frequently reported and can cause substantial morbidity, yet their incidence is not well established. The present study assessed the incidence of fractures, osteonecrosis (ON), and bone pain during ALL treatment and compared the fracture incidence with age- and sex-specific reference data from the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD). PROCEDURE: Medical records of 122 ALL patients diagnosed at our institution from 1992 to 2004 were reviewed for information on fractures, ON, bone pain, and their anatomical location, risk group, phase of antileukemic therapy, and time since diagnosis. Evaluation of skeletal complications was followed up until July 2005 or the patient's death. Thirteen children were excluded as they were transferred to other institutions shortly after diagnosis. RESULTS: Skeletal complications occurred at a 5-year incidence of 32.7%. The 5-year incidence of fractures, ON, and isolated bone pain was 13.5%, 12.1%, and 12.3%, respectively. The relative rate of fractures adjusted for age and sex was 2.03 (95% confidence interval 1.15-3.57) compared to the GPRD, with greatest rates in children <5 years. Thirty ON occurred in 10 patients with a 15 times greater incidence in children >10 years than in those <5 years. Nearly all skeletal complications occurred during maintenance therapy at a median of 14.92 months (range 0.0-53.8) after diagnosis and in weight-bearing bones. CONCLUSIONS: The doubled fracture rate and the high incidence of skeletal complications during the first years after diagnosis suggest the developing skeleton is very vulnerable in this period. Adolescents develop more ON whereas younger children may be more prone to fractures. Serious "immediate effects" of chemotherapy on bone appear of great concern and should entail preventative studies in this group of patients.     

Osteogenesis imperfecta: anthropometric, skeletal and mineral metabolic effects of long-term intravenous pamidronate therapy

BACKGROUND: Administration of bisphosphonates represents a beneficial therapy in children and adolescents with severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) because it significantly reduces the annual rate of bone fractures. AIM: To evaluate the anthropometric, skeletal and mineral metabolic effects of long-term intravenous pamidronate therapy in OI. METHODS: Ten patients, aged 5 mo to 25 y, with OI received cyclical intravenous pamidronate. The yearly dose of pamidronate was approximately 9 mg/kg/d at all ages. Duration of treatment varied from a minimum of 2 y to a maximum of 5 y. Growth, bone mass and mineral metabolic parameters were studied at baseline and repeated every year thereafter. Bone mass was assessed by calculation of bone mineral apparent density (L2-L4 BMAD). This represents the first study on the changes in size-adjusted measures of bone mass observed with such therapy. RESULTS: While on therapy, all children and adolescents grew normally but did not experience any manifest catch-up growth. A significant decrease in the incidence of bone fractures was observed. In seven patients with severe forms, L2-L4 BMAD increased by 80% after the first 2 y of therapy but tended to stabilize or even decrease over the following years despite maintenance of therapy. A significant inverse correlation could be established between urinary Ca excretion and L2-L4 BMAD (r = -0.30, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that cyclical pamidronate infusions reduce the incidence of bone fractures and allow normal growth. The improvement in bone mass initially observed after the first 2 y of therapy is not always sustained over the following years despite maintenance of therapy.     

Effects of 3 years of intravenous pamidronate treatment on bone markers and bone mineral density in a patient with osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG)

We present a 21 year-old woman with osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG) suffering from bone pain and frequent long bone fractures (approximately 1 or 2 fractures/year) who was treated with i.v. pamidronate for 3 years. OPPG is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe widespread osteoporosis leading to pathological fractures and congenital or early onset blindness. Bone mineral density (BMD) (g/cm2) was determined at lumbar spine and femur neck by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. BMD studies were also performed in her parents and 18 year-old brother who were phenotypically normal. Within 2 months of the first pamidronate treatment the patient reported considerable decrease in bone pain and improved mobility. During the treatment period no important side effects and no recurrent bone fracture were reported. There were substantial increases in BMD, T score and z-score at both lumbar spine and femoral neck during therapy. Baseline lumbar spine BMD increased from 0.416 to 0.489 g/cm2 and femoral neck BMD increased from 0.455 to 0.532 g/cm2 after 3 years. Although her parents and brother did not have any history of fracture, BMD measurements revealed that her parents were osteopenic and her brother was osteoporotic. We demonstrated that pamidronate therapy seems to be safe and beneficial in both spinal and peripheral skeleton osteoporosis in patients with OPPG. Moreover, the present study clearly indicates that bone density studies and LRPS gene screening for mutations should be performed in phenotypically normal family members of patients with OPPG.     

Pamidronate treatment of less severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta in children

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonate therapy improves bone quality in children with severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Children with milder phenotypes also have prepubertal fractures, bone pain and reduced bone mass, predisposing them to adult osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment effects of pamidronate in children with mild phenotypes of OI. METHODS: Open label, 2-year observational study of 18 patients, using pamidronate, with clinical, biochemical and radiological monitoring. RESULTS: Over 2 years, bone pain decreased from 16 to 1 patient and disturbed sleep from 12 children to 0. Independent mobility improved from 10 to 17 children. Fracture incidence decreased from 1.6 to 0.5 fractures/child/year. Surgical interventions decreased from a mean 1.3 procedures/patient to 0 in the second year of treatment. Growth velocity remained stable at a mean 4.8 cm/year. Mean lumbar vertebral bone mineral density improved by 40.8%, from 0.375 to 0.528 g/cm2 (p <0.0001), z-score from -3.77 to -2.44 (p <0.0001). Mean vertebral height improved by 17.3%, from 15.6 to 18.38 mm (p = 0.07); plasma alkaline phosphatase decreased from 222 to 169 U/l (p = 0.0009) and urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks decreased from 26.7 to 21.8 nmol/mmol creatinine (p = 0.21). Two children with vitamin D insufficiency were concurrently treated. A significant association (r = -0.6, p = 0.008) was shown between age at start of treatment and percentage change in BMD after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Pamidronate treatment improves bone quality in children with mild types of OI. It ameliorates clinical symptoms, improves mobility, reduces fracture frequency and thus improves quality of life and in future is likely to reduce the severity and consequences of adult osteoporosis by improved peak bone mass in these children.     

Pamidronate treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta--lack of correlation between clinical severity, age at onset of treatment, predicted collagen mutation and treatment response

Severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) are characterised by osteoporosis with multiple fractures, deformity, progressive loss of mobility and chronic bone pain. Bisphosphonates, as osteoclast inhibitors, reduce bone turnover and improve osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pamidronate treatment of severe OI in children, and find any correlation between clinical severity, age at start of treatment, type of predicted collagen mutation and treatment response. DESIGN: Open, observational trial. PATIENTS: A two-year study of pamidronate treatment was undertaken in a cohort of 18 children, (1.4-14.5 years) with OI types III and IV. INTERVENTIONS: Disodium pamidronate, 1 mg/kg/day for 3 days every 4 months, by i.v. infusion with measurement of bone turnover, bone density, vertebral morphology and skin biopsies to assess collagen mutation. RESULTS: Eleven children have completed 2 years of treatment and three more have completed 20 months. Sustained cessation of bone pain, improved mobility and decreased fracture rate were seen in all patients. Bone turnover decreased slightly but was not statistically significant. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine increased by a mean of 124.7 +/- 75.7% over 2 years (Z score mean -5.08 +/- 1.27, to -3.30 +/- 1.71, p <0.001); the greatest change in BMD was seen in the most severely affected patients: 138 +/- 50.6% (severe), 62.47 +/- 22.9% (mild). There was a mean increase in vertebral height at L4 of 68.5% and in vertebral area of 85.4%. The majority of patients had slow electrophoretic migration of type I collagen alpha chains or reduced secretion of type I collagen, indicative of structural, helix-breaking mutations. There was no correlation between phenotypic severity, age at start of treatment and treatment response (r2 = 0.14) CONCLUSIONS: Pamidronate treatment of severe forms of OI is an effective therapeutic modality to increase bone density, decrease fracture rate, increase mobility and improve quality of life, irrespective of the severity of the mutation or clinical phenotype. It has a good short-term safety profile.     

Treatment of children with Osteogenesis imperfecta in Estonia

AIM: To analyse the changes in fracture rate, bone density and histology in children with Osteogenesis imperfecta receiving treatment with alendronate (oral bisphosphonate) and calcitriol. METHODS: Children treated at Tartu University Hospital from 1995 to 2001 were examined for Osteogenesis imperfecta. Radiographs and bone density measurements were obtained for all patients at the beginning of the study. Four patients also had bone biopsies prior to and one year after beginning treatment. The children were then given alendronate in weight-dependent dosages and also calcitriol. The number of fractures during the treatment period was recorded and follow-up bone density measurements were made. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were treated during the 6-y period; mean follow-up approximately 3 y. It was found that the number of bone fractures had decreased significantly (p < 0.0001). Bone density improved in all 15 patients. Histologic studies revealed an increased number of osteoblasts and thickness of bone trabeculae as well as a more regular bone lamellar structure at the time of the second operation. CONCLUSION: The complex treatment of Osteogenesis imperfecta should include alendronate and calcitriol to decrease fractures and improve bone mineral density.     

Cyclic pamidronate therapy in children with osteogenesis imperfecta: results of treatment and follow-up after discontinuation

BACKGROUND: Cyclic intravenous pamidronate treatment is widely used for symptomatic therapy of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). However, data after discontinuation are very limited. AIM: The results of cyclical pamidronate treatment in 14 patients with moderate/severe OI and follow up of six of them after discontinuation are presented to assess the effects of pamidronate and its discontinuation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pamidronate was administered at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg for 3 successive days every 2 months in 14 patients with OI aged 5.10 +/- 3.68 years. Treatment was stopped in six patients after a duration of 16.33 +/- 4.63 months, due to stable bone mineral density (BMD) values and/or no fracture in the last 6 months, or due to family demand. The main outcome measures were areal BMD (aBMD) of the lumbar spine, biochemical markers of bone metabolism, fracture rate, and clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Areal BMD and aBMD z-scores showed significant improvement during the treatment period. Both serum and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase values were significantly decreased. Fracture rate reduced significantly from 3.5 +/- 1.01 to 0.83 +/- 0.77 fractures/year. Bone pain, which was severe in five patients, disappeared just after the first cycle, and the activity and mobility of patients increased. aBMD and aBMD z-scores were decreased 1.5 years after discontinuation, although not statistically significant. Annual fracture rate increased significantly. Bone pain recurred in four patients. Pamidronate treatment was reinstituted in five of these patients at the end of 1.5 years. CONCLUSION: Cyclical pamidronate treatment is very effective in children with moderate/severe OI. This treatment should be started early enough before the occurrence of irreversible deformities and must be given for a longer time during the growth period.     

Osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome: treatment of spinal osteoporosis with intravenous bisphosphonates

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether intravenous bisphosphonate treatment is helpful for children with osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome who have severe osteoporosis. METHODS: Three children (ages 9 to 11 years) with osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome who had multiple vertebral collapse were treated over a 2-year period with intermittent intravenous bisphosphonate infusions (pamidronate in 2, clodronate in 1). The responses to therapy were assessed with clinical and radiographic evaluation and bone densitometry of the spine. RESULTS: All 3 subjects reported early reductions in bone pain and improved mobility. Radiographs showed dense new bone in the vertebral end plates and remodeling of the vertebral bodies. Areal bone mineral density at the lumbar spine (age-appropriate SD score) improved from a mean of -4.5 before treatment to -2.8 after 2 years (P <.05). No new fractures occurred, and side effects were minimal. Growth and pubertal development proceeded normally. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy appears safe and beneficial in patients with this condition and may prevent progressive vertebral deformity.     

Effect of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D on bone mass in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Calcitriol deficit has been described in patients with acute lymphoblast leukemia (ALL). The aim of this randomized case-control trial is to investigate the effectiveness of calcitriol administration during the first year of treatment to protect bone mass. Sixteen children recently diagnosed with ALL, aged 1.7 to 11.5 years, average 5.5, completed the study. Anthropometrical measurements, food intake record, physical activity, and bone pain were registered. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed at the completion of remission induction chemotherapy (after 1 mo) to measure bone mineral density (BMD) at hip, lumbar spine and whole body, and total bone mineral content and 1 year after. Half of them were randomly assigned to receive calcitriol during 1 year. STATISTICAL: Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman. RESULTS: Both groups had similar anthropometric measurements and bone densitometric variables increments. Spine BMD significantly increased in calcitriol supplemented children with lower baseline BMD (r=-0.78 and P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One-year calcitriol administered to recently diagnosed ALL children did not show impact on bone mass. Greater increment in lumbar spine bone mass was observed in patients who received calcitriol and had lower baseline BMD.     

Intravenous pamidronate in juvenile osteoporosis.

AIMS: To investigate the use of the aminobisphosphonate, disodium pamidronate, in children with vertebral osteoporosis. METHODS: Five children (aged 10-15 years) with vertebral osteoporosis who developed compression fractures in the thoracic and/or lumbar spine as a consequence of five different conditions, received treatment with intravenous disodium pamidronate in doses ranging from 0.5 to 12 mg/kg/y. RESULTS: Each child had rapid pain relief following the first treatment, followed by large increments in lumbar spine bone density over one year; the change in bone density standard deviation score ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 with percentage increments of 26% to 54%. CONCLUSION: Intravenous pamidronate appears to be a useful therapeutic option in childhood osteoporosis, but its use in children must still be regarded as experimental and therefore closely monitored.     

Reduced bone density at completion of chemotherapy for a malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis and pathological fractures occur occasionally in children with malignancies. This study was performed to determine the degree of osteopenia in children with a malignancy at completion of chemotherapy. METHODS: Lumbar spine (L2-L4) bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2) and femoral neck BMD were measured by dual energy x ray absorptiometry in 22 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and in 26 children with other malignancies. Apparent volumetric density was calculated to minimise the effect of bone size on BMD. Results were compared with those of 113 healthy controls and expressed as age and sex standardised mean Z scores. RESULTS: Patients with ALL had significantly reduced lumbar volumetric (-0.77) and femoral areal and volumetric BMDs (-1.02 and -0.98, respectively). In patients with other malignancies, femoral areal and apparent volumetric BMDs were significantly decreased (-0.70 and -0.78, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that children with a malignancy are at risk of developing osteopenia. A follow up of BMD after the completion of chemotherapy should facilitate the identification of patients who might be left with impaired development of peak bone mass, and who require specific interventions to prevent any further decrease in their skeletal mass and to preserve their BMD.     

Pamidronate treatment of steroid associated osteonecrosis in young patients treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia--two-year outcomes

AIMS: To assess outcomes of young patients with osteonecrosis (ON) treated with pamidronate in terms of relief of pain, prevention of progress and bony collapse of involved area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A non-randomised interventional study in six patients with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) for which treatment protocols included long-term, high dose use of glucocorticoids. Subsequent development of ON was treated with a bisphosphonate (pamidronate) for 2 years. Mobility and pain control were assessed regularly with MRI and X-ray of affected areas at 0, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Reduction in pain was reported in four of six patients in the first year with increased mobility. Two patients who had radiological evidence of joint destruction prior to treatment and when continued on corticosteroids reported no improvement in pain or mobility. In the second year, patients who started treatment in the first few months after diagnosis were stable while patients who had treatment initiated later deteriorated but had less pain than prior to treatment with pamidronate. MRIs of affected areas were completely unchanged over 2 years. X-rays revealed no new bony collapse in four of six patients after 12 months of treatment. However, three of six patients continued to undergo extensive collapse of femoral heads (one at 12 months, two at 24 months) and all these required urgent hip replacement. CONCLUSION: Pamidronate treatment has a palliative effect in control of pain and may delay the natural history of bony collapse in the acute phase of ON, especially in early treated patients, but does not prevent late bone collapse and joint destruction in corticosteroid treated patients with ALL. Larger studies are needed to provide evidence as to whether bisphosphonate is indicated for treatment of ON for patients using corticosteroids.     

Bisphosphonate treatment of bone fibrous dysplasia in McCune-Albright syndrome

One of the main features of McCune-Albright syndrome is bone fibrous dysplasia (BFD) often associated with severe clinical outcomes, such as bone pain, bone deformities and pathological fractures. Medical treatment with bisphosphonates started 15 years ago. Recent trials in pediatric patients with BFD have shown encouraging results. We evaluated long-term efficacy and safety of pamidronate treatment of BFD in children and adolescents with MAS. The drug was administered at 4 month-1 year intervals according to alkaline phosphatase levels. The study included 14 patients (10 females and 4 males between the ages of 5.3 and 18.7 years) with moderate or severe BFD. Follow up lasted 1.9-9 years. Bone pain, fractures, deformities, and bone turnover markers were evaluated before every therapeutic course. The study shows the beneficial effects of long-term bisphosponate treatment on BFD lesions leading to reduced fracture rate and bone pain, and radiological evidence of long bone lesion healing.     

The clinical and radiological assessment of cyclic intravenous pamidronate administration in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

Over the past 20 years, orally administered biphosphonates have been used extensively in the management of a number of common skeletal disorders of different etiology. Recently, in clinical practice, in a number of cases in whom oral therapy is insufficient or contraindicated, intravenous administration of pamidronate presents an alternative therapeutic option. In order to investigate the clinical and radiological effects of cyclic intravenous pamidronate administration in children with osteogenesis imperfecta, a prospective open study of pamidronate treatment was undertaken in a cohort of eight bed-bounded (3.6-13.8 years) patients with severe osteoporosis and vertebral deformities. Pamidronate was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/ day for three days. Tri-monthly cyclic intravenous infusions were performed over-one year. Bone density, verebral corpus heights, estimated volumetric bone density and biochemical measurements were analyzed. Side effects of the therapy were determined via questionnaire. Significant reductions in the number of bone fractures and pain were observed in all patients. Ambulation scores were significantly altered and seven of eight patients became independent. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels decreased significantly. Lumbar X-ray and densitometry showed a striking improvement by the end of the treatment period. Even spaced dense lines corresponding to infusion periods were observed on roentgenograms of the radio-ulnar region. Pubertal progression and growth velocity were not affected inversely during therapy. Although we did not observe any severe side effect, one patient's blood urea nitrogen level was altered slightly. In conclusion, one year cyclical pamidronate treatment seems to be effective and safe in improving bone mineralization and in reducing fracture incidence in severe osteoporosis.     

Pamidronate treatment of bone fibrous dysplasia in nine children with McCune-Albright syndrome

McCune-Albright syndrome is a rare genetic disorder consisting of skin and bone dysplasia and peripheral endocrinopathies. Little data have been collected regarding bisphosphonate treatment of bone fibrous dysplasia in paediatric patients with this syndrome. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of pamidronate in these patients. Nine patients with moderate to severe forms of bone fibrous dysplasia were treated with pamidronate intravenously (0.5-1 mg/kg/daily for 2-3 d) at 0.5-1-y intervals. Patients were treated over a time period of 0.5-3.5 y. During treatment no spontaneous fracture occurred. Bone pain and gait abnormality due to pain disappeared after 2-3 therapeutic cycles. Cranial asymmetry and limb length discrepancy remained unchanged. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and urine hydroxyproline values were reduced by the treatment, demonstrating drug activity at the lesional level. The effectiveness of pamidronate was also seen at the non-lesional level through an increase in bone density. Radiographic and scintigraphic evidence of lesion healing was not attained. Pamidronate treatment can ameliorate the course of bone fibrous dysplasia in children and adolescents with McCune-Albright syndrome.     

Altered bone mineral density and body composition,and increased fracture risk in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fracture rate and bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with dexamethasone-based chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Children with ALL (n = 61) participated. At diagnosis, during therapy, and one year after cessation of therapy, BMD and body composition were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of lumbar spine (LS) and total body (TB). Serum markers of bone turnover were assessed. RESULTS: BMD(LS) was significantly reduced at diagnosis, and remained low during therapy. BMD(TB) was normal at diagnosis, with a fast decrease in the first 32 weeks, in which chemotherapy was relatively intensive. Apparent ("volumetric") BMD(LS) was also reduced, but this did not reach significance at diagnosis and follow-up. Bone formation markers were reduced at diagnosis; formation as well as resorption markers increased during treatment. Fracture rate was 6 times higher in ALL patients compared with healthy controls. Lean body mass was decreased at baseline. Percentage of body fat increased significantly during therapy. After ALL treatment was completed, BMD and body composition tended to improve. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ALL are at risk for osteopenia because of the disease itself and the intensive chemotherapy. Fracture rate increases substantially, not only during but also shortly after treatment.     

儿童舟骨骨折的诊治

目的 总结诊治12例儿童舟骨骨折的经验,为早期、正确地治疗儿童舟骨骨折提供参考和依据.方法 1999年1月～2006年12月间诊治12例儿童舟骨骨折,男9例,女3例,年龄10～15岁,平均12.5岁;右侧10例,左侧2例.根据改良Herbert舟骨骨折分型,12例患儿中A1型1例,A2型3例,B1型1例,B2型2例,B3型1例,D1型3例,D2型1例.4例新鲜稳定型骨折、2例新鲜不稳定骨折以及2例D1型骨折予以石膏外同定治疗;1例骨折块移位>1mm的B2型骨折闭合复位失败后予以切开复位内固定术;1例B3型及1例D1型骨折分别行经皮DTJ空心螺钉内同定术;1例D2型骨折行切开复位、克氏针、螺钉内固定、游离髂骨移植术.结果 石膏外同定治疗的8例患儿均于术后平均7.2周获得了临床骨愈合,术后所有患儿均无腕痛,患手握力平均恢复至健侧的91%,患侧腕关节屈伸活动度平均恢复至健侧的93%.经手术治疗的4例患儿于术后平均7.8周(B2型5周,B3型5.5周,D1型7周,D2型12周)获得了骨愈合,除1例D2型有轻度腕痛外其余3例均无腕关节症状,术后患手握力恢复至健侧的平均90%,患侧腕关节屈伸活动度恢复至健侧的平均91%.所有手术患儿切口均Ⅰ期愈合,无感染等并发症的发生.结论 儿童舟骨骨折临床及X线表现相对较隐匿,早期正确的诊断和确切的外固定是预防骨折不愈合和骨不连的关键,植骨+内固定是舟骨骨不连的有效治疗手段.